1. The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry
Early Peoples
• After Ice Age, migrants cross land bridge
- ancestors of Arctic Inuit (Eskimos)
• Vikings found (Newfoundland) about A.D. 1000; later abandon – Leif Ericson
Colonization by France and Britain
• French explorers claim much of Canada in 1500s
• Coastal fisheries and fur trade important
• Britain wins French and Indian War; French stay
Establishing the Dominion of Canada
• 1791 Britain creates 2 political units called provinces
- Upper Canada (Ontario) English-speaking, Protestant
- Lower Canada (Quebec) French-speaking, Roman Catholic
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2. Continental Expansion and Development
From the Atlantic to the Pacific
• In 1885 a transcontinental railroad goes from Montreal to Vancouver
• European immigrants arrive and find Yukon gold 1
Urban and Industrial Growth
• Farming gives way to urban industrialization, manufacturing
- within 100 miles of U.S.
border due to climate, land,
transportation
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3. The Parliamentary System • In 1931 Canada becomes independent
Governing Canada
The Parliamentary System
• In 1931 Canada becomes independent
• Parliamentary government:
- parliament—legislature combining legislative and executive functions
- consists of an appointed Senate, elected House of Commons
- prime minister, head of government, is majority party leader
• All ten provinces have own legislature and premier (prime minister)
- federal government administers the territories
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4. An Increasingly Diverse Economy The Early Fur Trade
• French and English trappers and traders expand westward
Canada’s Primary Industries
• Farming, logging, mining, fishing
• Mining: uranium, zinc, gold, and silver
• Fishing: domestic consumption is low, so most is exported
The Manufacturing Sector
• 15% of Canadians work in manufacturing
Service Industries Drive the Economy
• Most Canadians work in service industries, which create 60% of GDP
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5. Languages and Religions
• Heavy trade with U.S.
same language, open border (world’s longest)
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico – St. Lawrence Seaway
- 85% of Canadian exports go to U.S.
- 75% of Canada’s imports come from U.S.
A Land of Many Cultures
Languages and Religions
• Bilingual: English is most common, except in French-speaking Quebec
• English Protestants and French Catholics dominate
Canada’s Population
• Environment keeps 80% of people
on 10% of land (near U.S. border)
- 75% of French live in Quebec
- Inuits live in the Arctic or reserves
Urbanization: 80% live in cities
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6. Employment and Education
Life in Canada Today
Employment and Education
• High standard of living, well-educated population
• Labor force is 55% men, 45% women
- 75% in service industries, 15% in manufacturing
• Today, Canada has a 97% literacy rate
Sports and Recreation
• Popular sports: skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, hunting
- Canada has own football league;
other pro teams
play in U.S.
leagues
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7. The Atlantic Provinces
• Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces:
- Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland
• Only 8% of Canada’s population, due to bad terrain and weather
Economic Activities
• largest industry: logging
• St. Lawrence Seaway – ship route built by US and Canada, which connects Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean. It uses locks to raise and lower water to allow shipping
hydro-electric power
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8. The Core Provinces—Quebec and Ontario The Heartland of Canada
• Quebec City: French explorer Samuel de Champlain built the fort in 1608
• 60% Canada’s population live in Core Provinces Ontario and Quebec
• Ottawa, Ontario is the national capital
The Prairie Providences
Canada’s Breadbasket
• Great Plains Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
• 50% of Canada’s agricultural production, 60% of mineral output
- Alberta has coal, oil deposits; produces 90% of Canada’s natural gas
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9. The Pacific Province and the Territories British Columbia
• British Columbia—westernmost province, mostly in Rocky Mountains
- 1/2 is forests; 1/3 is frozen tundra, glaciers
• Most people live in southwest cities - Victoria, Vancouver
• Economy built on logging, mining, hydroelectric power
The Territories
• The three northern territories account for 41% of Canada’s land – Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories
• Sparsely populated - rugged land and severe climate
• Economies include mining, fishing, some logging
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